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Steel tie, also known as steel sleeper, is a critical component in modern railway infrastructure, offering durability and versatility. It serves as the foundational element that supports tracks and ensures stability under heavy loads.
In tunnel engineering, a steel tie is synonymous with a steel sleeper, serving as the transverse support that holds rails to the correct gauge and distributes the load from construction vehicles to the tunnel floor. In TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) projects, these are often specifically called tunneling ties because they are custom-engineered to sit directly on the curved, non-flat surface of the tunnel invert without requiring additional blocking.
Key Specifications for TBM Projects
Tunneling ties are designed to meet rigorous project-specific requirements, often supporting substantial industrial loads:
Axle Loads: Successfully implemented for loads up to 45,000 lbs.
Spacing: Typically set at 30-inch intervals to maintain track gauge and provide sufficient engineering support.
Customization: Designs are tailored to the specific tunnel diameter and wheel load of the TBM's back-up gantries.
Design Variations
Outside Stationary Clip Ties: The most widely used design, featuring four movable rolled-steel clips and two stationary clips on the outer ends to fit a specific rail profile.
Staggered Clip Ties: Features one stationary clip on the inside at one end and one on the outside at the other. This allows a tie to be inserted or removed without disturbing the track gauge.
Heavy-Duty Series: Specialty ties are designed for punishing mainline haulage in hard rock or coal mining tunnels.
Advantages Over Other Materials
Vertical Clearance: Steel ties are significantly thinner than wood or concrete (some as thin as 2 inches high), which is critical for gaining clearance in tight tunnel bores.
Weight & Logistics: Being much lighter than concrete makes them easier to transport and install manually in confined spaces.
Durability: When treated with hot-dip galvanization, they provide extended service life in humid underground environments and resist crushing under high pressure.
Signum Rail Fastening offers a wide range of sleepers for different purposes. We customize the matching steel sleepers and track fixing system according to the size of the tunnel and the type of track used. The excellent technical team and processing experience ensure that the sleepers produced by Signum team are of stable quality and have a good user experience.
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